3 rd SG13 Regional Workshop for Africa on “ITU-T Standardization Challenges for Developing Countries Working for a Connected Africa” (Livingstone, Zambia, February 2015) The Success Story of Ghana’s Standardization “ Type Approval Management System” Isaac Boateng National Communications Authority, Ghana VC, ITU-T SG11 & Rapporteur Q8/11 & Q11/11

Highlight  Introduction  Technical & Regulatory requirements  The Type Approval Management System  Challenges

Introduction  Type Approval is proof by a manufacturer or its Authorized agent of a product that specific essential minimum technical and regulatory requirements related to the product have been fulfilled.

Regulatory Requirements  Section 3 (n) of the NCA Act, Act 769 of 2008, sections 66 and 67 of the Electronic Communications Act, Act 775 are our Authority for Action  Manufacturers or their Authorized Agents require Type Approval Certificate (TAC) before producing or assembling, or selling/using any Electronic Communication Equipment (ECE) in Ghana.  Dealers are also required to deal in only type approved and genuine ECE.  Approved Equipment models come with NCA Type Approval Certificate (TAC) with unique identity  Importers must inform the NCA of any ICT equipment importation into the country for checks, TAC and final clearance

Regulatory Requirements  TAC must always be visible and displayed to the public  All communications equipment coming into the country must be inspected and passed by the NCA  Destination Inspectors go to the point of entries for inspection  Two levels of clearance  Customs Clearance  Regulatory Clearance  Market Surveillance shall soon be an integral part of the process.  Establishment of National ICT Task Force in collaboration with the security agencies and the Ghana Standard Authority through the GCAP.

Technical Requirements  The minimum essential technical requirements:  International, Regional and National Standards  Environmental, Health and Safety Standards  Proof of Genuineness  Electromagnetic Radiation and Emissions  Radio Frequency requirements  Network Compatibility/Interoperability

Who Can Apply for TAC?  Vendors and Assemblers;  Dealers of ICT equipment for marketing/commercial use;  Licensed Operators and Service Providers;  Individuals or Companies wishing to import ICT equipment even for their own use;

Type Approval Management Syste Type Approval Management System  Is a web tool developed with following main objectives;  To serve as an application portal for Type Approval Certificate and Dealership Licence  Secured and robust  As database and search tool for NCA approved Devices  Running on dedicated platform/infrastructure/servers  To reduce the time of introduction of devices to market

Type Approval Management Syste Type Approval Management System  APPPLICATION REQUIREMNTS  Fill an online application form in addition to submission of following:  Application Cover letter  Technical Documentation /Technical Construction File  A general description of the electronic communication equipment  Design information /results of design calculations made  A list of the adopted standards and/or other relevant technical specifications  The declaration of conformity;  Certificate of conformity from CAB;  Test reports issued by accredited testing laboratories  RF Test Report  EMC Test Report  Health and Safety Reports  Sample of electronic communication equipment where necessary

Type Approval Management System

 Three stages of evaluation;  Review Stage – Comprehensive analysis and verification of submitted document including lab reports  Verification Stage – verification of review process, check lists and recommendation for approval where necessary  Approval Stage  Provisional Approval  Final Approval  Rejected

Snapshot of TA Application Web Portal

Snapshot of NCA Approved Equipment

TAC Unique Identifier  Type Approved Equipment models are now given unique identity marks on the Certificate ECE CC TAT IY SN “NCA APPROVED: XXX - XX- XX- XXX ” ECE CC : ECE COLOUR CODE TAT: TYPE APPROVAL TYPE (modular or complete) IY:ISSUE YEAR SN:SEQUENCE NUMBER

Front view of TAC

Why TAC Unique Identity?  To show that the Certificate is for specific equipment model/category/type  ECE meets essential requirements of the Authority  To provide public confidence  Manufacturer’s/Dealer’s own declaration that ECE is genuine  Manufacture/Dealer bears responsibility for any breach under which TAC was issued.  If equipment is found to be Fake/Counterfeit  If certain key functions (both software and hardware) of the ECE is altered

Challenges  Current process is based on test results from vendor or recognized/accredited 3 rd party testing  Independent verification and market surveillance are required to provide assurance that the products category/model sold in the market have met the requirements of the Authority.  Lack of testing labs, market surveillance & enforcement make it a challenge.  Porous ports of entry and un-approved routes  Vendors/Dealers/Consumers are still un-aware of the type approval regime  Incomplete applications/ inadequate documentations

NCA Web Sources Related to Type Approvals  portal.nca.org.gh   Type Approval Guidelines  Contacts  